The CSS Hunley and other submarines through time

By By AUBREY COHEN

on January 31, 2013 3:44 PM

The crank-powered Hunley and its eight-man crew never resurfaced after it became the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, in an attempt to break the Union blockade.

The crank-powered Hunley and its eight-man crew never resurfaced after it became the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, in an attempt to break the Union blockade.

Photo: Kean Collection, Getty Images

The crank-powered Hunley and its eight-man crew never resurfaced... Photo-4117413.56015 - seattlepi.com

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The wreckage was discovered in 1995 and raised in 2000.

The wreckage was discovered in 1995 and raised in 2000.

Photo: Getty Images

The wreckage was discovered in 1995 and raised in 2000. Photo-4117579.56015 - seattlepi.com

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Here, the Hunley sits in a preservation tank. For years, historians had speculated the crew ran out of air before they were able to return to shore. Inside the sub, the crew members were found at their seats, with no evidence of an attempt to abandon ship. less

Here, the Hunley sits in a preservation tank. For years, historians had speculated the crew ran out of air before they were able to return to shore. Inside the sub, the crew members were found at their seats, ... more

Photo: Getty Images

Here, the Hunley sits in a preservation tank. For years, historians... Photo-4117578.56015 - seattlepi.com

This is an experimental Union Navy submarine called the Intelligent Whale, circa 1865.

This is an experimental Union Navy submarine called the Intelligent Whale, circa 1865.

Photo: MPI, Getty Images

This is an experimental Union Navy submarine called the Intelligent... Photo-4117428.56015 - seattlepi.com

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English mathematician William Bourne came up with this design for a submarine in 1578. The wooden framework is covered with waterproof leather, and employs moveable bulkheads and a hollow mast to vary the amount of water and air within. less

English mathematician William Bourne came up with this design for a submarine in 1578. The wooden framework is covered with waterproof leather, and employs moveable bulkheads and a hollow mast to vary the ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

English mathematician William Bourne came up with this design for a... Photo-4117431.56015 - seattlepi.com

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The Rotterdam Boat, from 1653, was 72 feet long and 12 feet high, with a breadth of eight feed, and powered by a clockwork device that drove a paddle wheel.

The Rotterdam Boat, from 1653, was 72 feet long and 12 feet high, with a breadth of eight feed, and powered by a clockwork device that drove a paddle wheel.

Photo: Henry Guttmann, Getty Images

The Rotterdam Boat, from 1653, was 72 feet long and 12 feet high,... Photo-4117432.56015 - seattlepi.com

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American inventor David Bushnell invented an experimental submarine called the Turtle in 1775. An operator
turned a handle to work the propeller. Air in the vessel was sufficient for it to
remain submerged for 30 minutes. During the Revolutionary War, colonists made
several unsuccessful attempts to use the Turtle, armed with a mine, to blow up British warships. less

American inventor David Bushnell invented an experimental submarine called the Turtle in 1775. An operator
turned a handle to work the propeller. Air in the vessel was sufficient for it to
remain submerged ... more

A German U-boat is launched in 1915. Photo-4117473.56015 - seattlepi.com

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On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ocean liner Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,198, including 128 Americans, and helping bring the United States into World War I.

On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ocean liner Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,198, including 128 Americans, and helping bring the United States into World War I.

Photo: Three Lions, Getty Images

On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ocean liner... Photo-4117479.56015 - seattlepi.com

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This picture shows a British steamer, seen from the German U-boat that just torpedoed it, in 1916.

This picture shows a British steamer, seen from the German U-boat that just torpedoed it, in 1916.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

This picture shows a British steamer, seen from the German U-boat... Photo-4117482.56015 - seattlepi.com

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The engine room of a German U-boat, circa 1916.

The engine room of a German U-boat, circa 1916.

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

The engine room of a German U-boat, circa 1916. Photo-4117480.56015 - seattlepi.com

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A U.S. propaganda poster from World War I proclaims: "Defeat the Kaiser and His U-Boats - Eat Less Wheat."

A U.S. propaganda poster from World War I proclaims: "Defeat the Kaiser and His U-Boats - Eat Less Wheat."

Photo: Buyenlarge, Getty Images

A U.S. propaganda poster from World War I proclaims: "Defeat... Photo-4117469.56015 - seattlepi.com

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A torpedo is loaded aboard an American submarine in Charleston, S.C., in 1915.

A torpedo is loaded aboard an American submarine in Charleston, S.C., in 1915.

Photo: Boyer, Roger Viollet/Getty Images

A torpedo is loaded aboard an American submarine in Charleston,... Photo-4117474.56015 - seattlepi.com

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A submarine in a floating dock at Harwich, England, in March 1919.

A submarine in a floating dock at Harwich, England, in March 1919.

Photo: A. R. Coster, Getty Images

A submarine in a floating dock at Harwich, England, in March 1919. Photo-4117478.56015 - seattlepi.com

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German U-Boat U-118 attracts the attention of locals after washing up on the beach at Hastings, England, in 1919.

German U-Boat U-118 attracts the attention of locals after washing up on the beach at Hastings, England, in 1919.

Photo: Paul Thompson/FPG, Getty Images

German U-Boat U-118 attracts the attention of locals after washing... Photo-4117484.56015 - seattlepi.com

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The French submarine Surcouf was the world's largest submarine when it was launched in 1929.

The French submarine Surcouf was the world's largest submarine when it was launched in 1929.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

The French submarine Surcouf was the world's largest submarine... Photo-4117497.56015 - seattlepi.com

The U.S.S. Robalo is launched on May 9, 1943, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., in Manitowoc, Wis.

The U.S.S. Robalo is launched on May 9, 1943, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., in Manitowoc, Wis.

Photo: Interim Archives, Getty Images

The U.S.S. Robalo is launched on May 9, 1943, at Manitowoc... Photo-4117500.56015 - seattlepi.com

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During World War II, Germany fitted U-boats with snorkels for drawing in air and running diesel engines underwater.

During World War II, Germany fitted U-boats with snorkels for drawing in air and running diesel engines underwater.

Photo: Ralph Morse/Black Star, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

During World War II, Germany fitted U-boats with snorkels for... Photo-4117861.56015 - seattlepi.com

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The British Royal Navy tests a "human torpedo" on May 15, 1944. It carried explosives to attack enemy ships. Once in range, the two crew members would eject and wait to be rescued.

The British Royal Navy tests a "human torpedo" on May 15, 1944. It carried explosives to attack enemy ships. Once in range, the two crew members would eject and wait to be rescued.

Photo: J. Wilds, Getty Images

The British Royal Navy tests a "human torpedo" on May 15,... Photo-4117501.56015 - seattlepi.com

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A two-man Japanese submarine is paraded near City Hall in New York during a World War II war bond rally.

A two-man Japanese submarine is paraded near City Hall in New York during a World War II war bond rally.

Photo: NY Daily News Via Getty Images

A two-man Japanese submarine is paraded near City Hall in New York... Photo-4117564.56015 - seattlepi.com

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A U.S. World War II recruitment poster says: "Smack the Japs! Volunteer for submarine service."

A U.S. World War II recruitment poster says: "Smack the Japs! Volunteer for submarine service."

Photo: Buyenlarge, Getty Images

A U.S. World War II recruitment poster says: "Smack the Japs!... Photo-4117468.56015 - seattlepi.com

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The American submarine USS Darter ran aground on Bombay shoal after playing a decisive role in the outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf by sighting and attacking the Imperial Japanese Navy's Center Force in 1944. less

The American submarine USS Darter ran aground on Bombay shoal after playing a decisive role in the outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf by sighting and attacking the Imperial Japanese Navy's Center Force in ... more

This picture, dated March 1995, shows the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk at its base in Vidyayevo, Russia. The Kursk suffered two explosions on Aug. 12, 2000 and sank to the bottom of the Barrents Sea. Despite rescue efforts, all 118 people aboard died. less

This picture, dated March 1995, shows the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk at its base in Vidyayevo, Russia. The Kursk suffered two explosions on Aug. 12, 2000 and sank to the bottom of the Barrents Sea. Despite ... more

The new U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine Virginia travels from Norfolk, Va., Naval Shipyard to complete sea trials on Aug. 25, 2004. It was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.

The new U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine Virginia travels from Norfolk, Va., Naval Shipyard to complete sea trials on Aug. 25, 2004. It was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford pulls into Mina Salman pier, Bahrain, on March 21, 2009 in Bahrain. According to reports from U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, it and the USS New Orleans collided on March 20, 2009 in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the Arabian peninsula. less

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford pulls into Mina Salman pier, Bahrain, on March 21, 2009 in Bahrain. According to reports from U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, it and the USS New Orleans collided on ... more

A Russian military orchestra plays during a ceremony to launch the multipurpose nuclear submarine Severodvinsk at the Sevmash shipyard on June 15, 2010.

A Russian military orchestra plays during a ceremony to launch the multipurpose nuclear submarine Severodvinsk at the Sevmash shipyard on June 15, 2010.

Photo: Sasha Mordovets, Getty Images

A Russian military orchestra plays during a ceremony to launch the... Photo-4117570.56015 - seattlepi.com

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Colombian soldiers guard a homemade submersible in a forest area of the Cajambre river near Buenaventura, Colombia, on May 29, 2012. The Colombian Navy seized the sub, which could transport up to five tons of drugs. less

Colombian soldiers guard a homemade submersible in a forest area of the Cajambre river near Buenaventura, Colombia, on May 29, 2012. The Colombian Navy seized the sub, which could transport up to five tons of ... more